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Self-employed, independent contractors can file for unemployment benefits this week

Self-employed and independent contractors who are unemployed due to the coronavirus pandemic can start filing for benefits next week.

Eligible workers can get anywhere from $733 to $1000 per week in total benefits, according to the Delaware Department of Labor.

The minimum weekly benefit from the state is $133, but it can be up to $400 if you can give documentation to support a higher amount. That comes with another $600 per week in federal payment.

The program, known as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, was made possible by the federal stimulus package. Self-employed workers and independent contractors have had to wait several weeks longer than other unemployed Delawareans, who have been able to apply for benefits due to coronavirus in mid-March. Labor Secretary Cerron Cade said the state had been waiting for guidance from the federal government on how to roll out this program.

Once the program is up and running, benefits for those workers will last until December, according to the Department of Labor. Federal benefits for people who have filed for traditional unemployment will last until the end of July.

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Several informational flyers were posted on the glass doors of the Delaware Department of Labor's Wilmington office building on Thursday, April 2.(Photo: Sarah Gamard/Delaware News Journal)

If you want to be notified on when you can apply for benefits if you're self-employed or an independent contractor, text uifacts to 555888.

How do I know I'm eligible?

You have to certify that you fit one of the following descriptions, all of which have to do with COVID-19:

You have been diagnosed with or have symptoms of the virus

One of your household members has the virus

You're taking care of a family member or household member with the virus

You can't go to work because you're a primary caregiver for someone, such as a child, who is unable to go to school or another facility that's closed because of the pandemic

You can't go to work because of a quarantine

You can't go to work because a health professional told you to self-quarantine

You had to quit your job or your workplace has closed because of the virus

You're the breadwinner or major support for a household because the head of your household has died from the virus

You were scheduled to start a job, but you don't have a job or you're unable to get to work because of the virus

How do I apply?

If you're self-employed or an independent contractor, you first have to apply for benefits through the traditional unemployment system and get denied.

You'll get a denial letter, which will trigger a second letter explaining you might be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. That letter will give you specific instructions on how to apply.

If you're covered under Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and haven't applied through the traditional unemployment system, the Department of Labor asks you visit https://ui.delawareworks.com/ to apply online.

Have these things ready for when you apply

Here's what you need to apply for unemployment benefits for self-employed and independent contractors:

Your social security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

If you are not a citizen of the U.S., your A Number (USCIS Number)

Your residential address

Your mailing address (if different from residential address)

Your phone number

Your email address

Your date of birth

Your earnings records for 2019, which include (if applicable):

Tax returns

1099 forms

Pay stubs

Bank statements

W2

Your bank account and routing numbers, if you want to use direct deposit for payment. All others will receive payment via debit card.

A valid business license or proof of ownership, if you operate as a business entity

Sarah Gamard covers government and politics for Delaware Online/The News Journal. You can reach her at (302) 324-2281 or sgamard@delawareonline.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @SarahGamard.